A mercy of God

(This is my Mom's nice dish set; they were my

Grandmother's mother's dishes.)

*

I just wanted to note that I talked to my Grandma

tonight (not to be confused with my 102 year old Oma)

and it was such a blessing.

*

I reminded her of one of my Aunt's playing a joke on me

many Christmases ago;

we have name gift exchanges and my Aunt had my name...

I was about 18 or 19 at the time

and had asked for two possible gifts:

a popcorn popper

or a

devotional book.

I know... strange combination!

Anyway...

The gift I got from my Aunt's family was their

old beat up 1970's popcorn popper

in a box.

Later, after much laughter,

my Aunt gave me a new copy of

Joni Earekson Tada's recently published devotional,

diamonds in the dust

which I remember beginning to read in the new year...

I think I had just turned 19.

*

You know, her book had a huge impact on me;

I remember it so vividly;

she wrote on such simple topics;

including sin and frankly

it was some of the first movements in my more 'adult' life

(as opposed to a life of a young adult or child)

that moved me towards the life-giving gift of repentance

and hope.

*

I had given my Grandma an older copy of a Joni E Tada book

for Christmas that I had for years.

She is reading it now and enjoying it.

*

What a blessing it was to remember that Christmas past

and to talk with my Grandmother.

*

It is not easy to grow older

(she is 80 now but you would not know it);

one of her relatives through marriage

who she'd known for some years

died on Saturday; even though she had been ill

it was still a surprise.

She lost my Grandpa 6 years ago, she knows

how hard this is.

*

She is an example to me;

she prays for so many people,

is active in her church and still

has a volunteer job

3 times a week.

*

I hope when I am older

God willing

that I will be like her.

*

It is moments like this phone call

that remind me of God's love and how blessed I am

to have such a Grandmother.

*

Thanks be to God!